A New Bond
Naruto paused, blinking in surprise. "Huh? What else do you want?" he asked, still guarded. The streets of Konoha were quiet this late in the afternoon, the sun casting long shadows behind them.
Chen, a newly transferred student from another district of the village, smiled sincerely. "Let's be friends, Naruto."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Wh-what? You… you want to be my friend?"
He wasn't used to hearing those words. Ever since he could remember, the villagers avoided him—whispered about him. Children were pulled away by their parents, and he'd spent most days alone on the swings near the Academy. Iruka-sensei had only recently started showing kindness, and even that had taken time.
Now this boy, Chen, wanted to be his friend?
Naruto scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "N-no, I mean—yes! I do! It's just—uh…"
His stomach growled loudly. "Uhh…" Naruto gave a sheepish laugh. "Heh… sorry about that."
Chen chuckled. "Come on, Naruto. I was just looking for a ramen shop. You know where Ichiraku Ramen is, right?"
Naruto's face lit up. "Are you kidding?! That's my favorite place! I go there all the time! I'll take you!"
"Lead the way!" Chen said cheerfully.
The two walked together, with Naruto excitedly telling Chen about all the different flavors at Ichiraku. When they arrived, Teuchi, the owner, greeted Naruto with a familiar smile.
"Hey there, Naruto! The usual?"
"Yep! And one for my friend too!" Naruto replied, pointing at Chen.
Chen bowed politely. "Nice to meet you, sir. I've heard a lot about your ramen."
Teuchi chuckled. "First timer, huh? You're in for a treat."
They slurped through steaming bowls of miso and tonkotsu ramen. Chen closed his eyes in satisfaction. "Whoa… this is amazing."
"You see! I told you!" Naruto said proudly.
When they were finished, Chen looked at Naruto. "You full?"
"Yeah," Naruto said, leaning back and patting his belly. "Thanks, man… really. This was the best day I've had in a while."
"You're welcome. That's what friends are for." Chen smiled and stood up. "Well, I should head home. See you tomorrow, Naruto!"
Naruto waved. "Yeah! Tomorrow!"
As Chen walked off, Naruto stood outside the ramen shop for a moment, blinking up at the sky.
"A friend…" he whispered.
Then, suddenly, he jumped in the air. "I have a friend now! I really have a friend! Ichiraku-oji, I have a friend!!"
Teuchi laughed warmly. "That's great, Naruto."
"Thanks for the ramen, old man! I'm heading home!" Naruto waved, still beaming as he ran off.
Back in the Uchiha district, Chen returned to his house. The compound was quiet but alive with a sense of order and discipline.
Uchiha Fugaku, his father, sat at the dinner table with Mikoto and Sasuke. They hadn't started eating yet.
"You're late," was all Fugaku said, though there was no real harshness in his voice.
"I'm back," Chen replied softly, stepping into the room.
"Come on, eat," Mikoto said gently. She served him a bowl of rice and motioned for him to sit.
"Thank you… Mother." Chen hesitated. He had already eaten ramen with Naruto, but couldn't bring himself to say no to Mikoto's kindness.
Fugaku began eating without further comment. Though he always appeared stern, his waiting for Chen before starting dinner didn't go unnoticed.
Sasuke, younger and ever observant, glanced between their parents and his older brother with a hint of confusion and jealousy.
Throughout the meal, Mikoto occasionally reached to serve more rice or vegetables to Chen and Sasuke. She smiled quietly, content just watching her family together.
After a few bites, Chen placed his chopsticks down. "I'm done. Thank you for the meal."
"You ate so little… Are you feeling alright?" Mikoto asked, concerned.
"I'm fine, really," Chen replied quickly, trying to hide the emotional tug in his chest. "I just want to rest. Excuse me."
Without waiting for a response, he walked to his room.
"Is something wrong with him?" Mikoto whispered to Fugaku.
Fugaku shook his head. "He's always been like that. Let him be."
Sasuke frowned, watching Mikoto worry about Chen. He didn't understand why Chen got so much attention.
In his room, Chen sat on his bed and sighed. He thought about Naruto—about how different it felt talking to him. The ramen, the laughter… it all felt natural. Warm.
The Next Morning
"Oi! Chen! Get up!" Sasuke's voice rang through the hallway.
Chen groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Sasuke? What's going on?"
He opened the door and spotted Itachi, now wearing an Anbu uniform, standing with their mother. He must have returned late from a mission.
"What did you do yesterday, Chen?" Sasuke asked. "You were out really late."
"It's classified," Itachi said, gently poking Sasuke's forehead. "Don't ask too many questions."
"Chen, you're awake," Itachi said, nodding.
"Mm," Chen nodded back and shuffled to the bathroom.
Mikoto called from the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready! Hurry, you'll be late for the Academy."
After eating quickly, Chen and Sasuke walked together to school. As always, the Uchiha compound remained eerily quiet.
When they arrived at the Academy, Ino waved excitedly. "Good morning, Chen-kun!"
"Morning, Ino," Chen replied politely. As he walked past Naruto's desk, he stopped.
"Hey Naruto, feeling better from yesterday?"
Naruto blinked, surprised again. "Y-yeah! I'm great! Thanks!"
Chen smiled. "Glad to hear it."
As he took his seat, other students began to murmur.
"Wow, Chen knows Naruto?"
"He's not like Sasuke at all…"
"Good morning, Chen-kun!" came another cheerful voice. It was Sakura's friend, Ami.
"Morning," he replied again with a small smile.
Iruka entered the classroom, beginning the day's lesson on the founding of the Hidden Leaf Village. Within minutes, Chen dozed off with his chin on his hand.
This became a daily rhythm—quiet mornings, school with new friends, and quiet dinners at home.
Little by little, Chen began to connect—not just with Naruto, but with the many other young ninja who would one day shape the fate of the shinobi world.